Hollow metal-coated article



A ril 29, 1924. 1,492,350

J. R. BROWN ET AL HOLLOW METAL COATED ARTICLE Filed Aug. 14. 1922 75/722 ffow/a 21d Eran 1i and BY oizzz C. 77721 Ziz'n 22 1x Q9 m? ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 29, 1924.

UNETEK) STATES TION OF OHIO.

PATENT ounce; f

JOHN ROWLAND BROWN AND JOHN C. MULL-INNIX, OF CLEVELAND, O'HIO, .ASSIGNORS TO THE RELIANCE GAUGE COLUMN COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORA- HOLLOW METAL-COATED ARTICLE.

Application filed August 14, 1922.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that we, JOHN ROWLAND BROWN and JOHN C. MULLINNIX, citizens of the United States, and residents of Cleveland, county of Cuyahoga, State of Ohio,

have jointly invented a new and useful Improvement in Hollow Metal-Coated Articles, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which we have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

In our pending application filed February 8, 1922, Serial No. 535,037, we describe a method generally applicable to the manufacture of floats or like devices composed of an internal hollow foundation and an external seamless metallic shell or coating deposited thereon, in contradistinction to the familiar method of fashioning such articles by spinning the same from sheet metal in hemispheres and'then lapping together and brazing the two sections of the joint. The object of the present invention is the adaptation of such method of manufacture to the production of a float of special type or design, such as is used in carburetors, vacuum feed systems for gas engines and the like, where the float is required to carry a stem that projects from opposite sides thereof.

Usually in the field of use referred to, the

stem projects entirely through the float, the

lower end being formed with a conical or needle valve and the upper end with an eye or other means for operatively connecting the float to other parts of the device. More especially it is the object of the invention to provide a float with such stem attached which will be practically leak-proof at points where the stem passes through the shell and which will be rigid and correspondingly lasting in service.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawing and the following description setting forth in detail certain means embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various ways in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing Fig. l is a perspective view of a float embodying our present improved construction,

Serial No. 581,679.

sectional view, similarto that of Fig. 8,

part of the float inLits showing the same finished condition.

The core or foundation 1 of the float, while shown in the several figures of the drawing as of general cylindrical form with convex top and bottom, may of course take on. any shape required by the exigencies of use to which the completed float is'put, the

form in question'being that ordinarily employed in carburetors and the auxiliary tank of the vacuum feed systems hereinbefore re ferred to.' Said core is preferably molded from pulp material, as for example wood pulp or papier-mzich, and is characterized by having its exterior surface closely and more or less uniformly dotted with small, round protuberances. The thickness of the core, shell'or foundation may vary, but ordinarily the latter will not be subjected to any great strains before being coated with metal, such metal coating being principally relied upon to give the finished article the necessary strength. However, if desired, the core itself may be made of such thickness as to contribute to the rigidity of the finished article to any desired degree. Such core is most conveniently made by employing a process such as the Drake process wherein a separable foraminous mold, complementary to the exterior configuration of the article to be molded, is used in combination With means for injecting the pulpy fluid therein and expelling the fluid vehicle constituent. of the material so as to leave only the solid constituent of the pulp adhering to the mold. Where the core is formed in this manner, it is left with an opening 2 in its one Wall cor responding with the opening in the mold through which the pulp material is injected and the air or other gas is supplied, whereby such vehicle is forced out of 'the material.

In adapting the foregoing core to the special use in hand, a stem in the form of a rod 3 of the proper cross-section and length and with its one end 4 pointed to form a valve and its other end 5 provided with an eye, or like attaching means, re-

quires to be secured in central axial position with such respective ends projecting beyond the top and bottom. Walls of the core. We accordingly puncture the lower wall at-a point 6, directly opposite the opening 2, and insert such stein through the opening 2 and the aperture thus provided until it occupies the desired position. Preliminarily, however, a washer 7 is slidably fitted on said stem, such washer being of a diameter larger than opening 2 and formed to fit the outer'surface of the upper wall of the float. Said washer is also formed with "an upstanding flange or collar 7 that while thus slidable on the stem 3, fits the same fairly tightly. As a result when the stem is brought in its proper position in the core, the washer will form a closure for the opening 2, as shown in Fig. Such washer lacquer for the purpose.

is then glued or cemented onto the core so as to be held permanently in place.

The core thus prepared may then be electro-plated with copper, nickel or other suitable metal, in accordance with well establishedpractice. We have found, however .ithat it is desirable to dust the exterior surface of such'core with copper or bronze powder, rather than graphite, before placing the same in the electrolytic bath, and in order to insure the sticking of such powder to the surface, the latter is desirably entirely coated with a lacquer, preferably consisting of a cellulose ester, such as nitrate or acetate, dissolved in one or more of the known solvents therefor. For example, pyroxylin, or celluloid thus dissolved in a suitable liquid vehicle and capable of hardening when subjected to evaporation or other treatment, will serve as a satisfactory The coat 8 of lacquer (see Fig. 4) by flowing into the joint between the washer 7 and the core presents a continuous surface to which the electrolytically deposited layer 9 will adhere, while such layer will, of course, -ad here to the unooated flange portion 7 of the washer, as well as to the exposed portion of the stem 3, thus insuring a tight seal as well as a substantial mechanical union between the parts in question. Similarly, such electrolytically deposited coating 9 will adhere to or build up around the stem where it projects through the perforation 6 in-the lower wall of "the core and insure a tight seal at this point.

It will be understood that more than one coat of the lacquer may be applied, the ini 'fications may be made in :the procedure hereinbefore set forth.

Other modes of applying the principle of our invention may be employed instead of the one explained, cha-ngebeing made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

lVe therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as our invention 2-- LA new article of manufacture comprising an internal hollow core having an opening in its one wall, a stem extendin through such opening and the opposite wa l o'f'said core, a washer fitted upon said :stem and serving as a closure for such opening, and a metallic coat applied to such core, washer andthe portions of saidystem adjacentsuch respective core-walls.

2. A new article of'manufacture comprising an internal hollow core molded from plastic material and having an opening in its one wall, a stem extending centrally through such opening and a close-fitting perforation in the opposite wall of said core,

a washer fitted upon said stem and serving as a closure for such opening, and a metallic coat applied to such core, washer and the portions of said stem adjacent such respective core-walls.

3. A new article of manufacture comprising an internal hollow core molded from pulp material and having an openingin its one wall,,a stem extending centrally through such opening and a close-fittingperforation in .theopposite wall of said core, a washer fitted upon said stem and serving as a clo sure for such opening, and a metallic coat applied to such core, washer and the por- "tions of said stem adjacent such respective core-walls.

4:. A new article of manufacture compris ing an internal hollow core ,molded from pulp material and having an opening in its one wall, a stem extending centrally through such opening and a close-fitting perforation in the opposite wall of said core, "a washer having an o-penin surrounded by .an upstanding flange fitted upon said-stem and serving as a closure for such opening, and a metallic coat electro-deposi ted on said core, .washer and the portionsof said stem :adjacent such respective core-walls.

Signed by us, this 9th day of August, 1922.

JOHN ROWLAND BROWN. JOHN C. MULLINNTIX. 

